GOVERNOR J-B PRITZKER SAYS THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES IS EMBRACING RECOMMENDATIONS FROM AN INDEPENDENT REPORT ON THE AGENCY.

THE REPORT FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO’S CHAPIN HALL FOUND THAT D-C-F-S FOCUSES SO MUCH ON KEEPING FAMILIES INTACT, THAT CHILDREN IN ABUSIVE SITUATIONS ARE LEFT IN DANGER. GOVERNOR PRITZKER SAYS IT’S TIME FOR AN OVERHAUL.

GOVERNOR PRITZKER SAYS SOME CHANGES ARE ALREADY UNDERWAY SUCH AS REVIEWING THE MOST PRESSING CASES AND RETRAINING CASEWORKERS. OTHERS WILL BE MADE OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS.

GOVERNOR PRITZKER SAYS D-C-F-S WILL IMMEDIATELY REVIEW OPEN HIGH-RISK CASES AND EXPAND TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR CASEWORKERS. A CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAM WILL REVIEW ANY CHILD DEATHS TO DETERMINE WHAT WENT WRONG.